Amazing cities and towns are abundant for an epic Wisconsin weekend getaway. I had the pleasure of visiting one of those cities recently. I had never been to Stoughton, so when the opportunity came up to explore this city near Madison, I was totally onboard. Main Street Stoughton, Wisconsin I rolled into Lake Kegonsa State Park to set up camp for two nights. It was...
I like county park camping in Wisconsin. Camping at Wisconsin County parks is budget friendly and county parks offer quiet, no-nonsense camping. They are the primary choice when I camp with my girlfriend’s camping group for those reasons. White Mound County Park Camping I like to try fresh places to camp and when our group chose White Mound County Park for our...
What are the benefits of traveling alone as a woman in midlife? You’re in your 50’s and the kids are gone, one day you wake up and realize that there are more years behind you than in front. You’re losing people you love. Not only parents but friends and acquaintances your age. Did you ever ask yourself “if I died tomorrow, would I have lived the life I wanted...
“Let’s get to work!” If you’re a fan of the popular Food Network show Restaurant Impossible, you’ll recognize that opening line. It takes intense work and a dose or two of tough love from Chef Robert Irvine to change the path of a struggling restaurant within a two/day time frame. Sometimes we viewers cringe at those much needed doses of tough love...
I was in McHenry County, Illinois in June for the Midwest Travel Network’s annual conference, and our group made stop after stop. Postcard charming historic downtowns, local shops, coffee, and breweries. All the spots you’d expect on an action packed itinerary. But one stop completely stole the show for me. The Starline Factory. Outside, this monolith of...
Essential tips for a smooth rental car pickup, especially for solo travelers. Key advice includes preparing necessary documents, asking precise questions at the rental desk, and thoroughly inspecting the vehicle for any pre-existing damage. Following a checklist can alleviate stress and ensure a confident start to the trip.
Every once in awhile I visit a place and something (or someone) hits me over the head so fiercely that I am called to tell a story. That is just what meeting Maggie Lena Walker did to me. On my first day in Richmond Virginia my fellow travel writers and myself were walking back to our Airbnb on Clay Street in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond Virginia. We...
I have learned that solo travel safety tips are not only about major emergencies. They are also about how to stop unwanted attention while traveling solo before it grows teeth.
I’ve been to Paris four times now, and each visit still surprises me. But your first time visit to Paris? That one is sacred. You want to do it right. Not rushed, not over-scheduled, not standing in the wrong line for two hours because you didn’t know about timed entry tickets.